Angara urges DA-DOST initiatives to survive current food crises

21 August 2008
Rita T. dela Cruz

Senator Edgardo J. Angara stated in his keynote address the need for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to pull together their research funds and personnel to address the current pressing issue on food production. Specifically, he suggested that a network among selected state universities and colleges (SUCs) that can do research be established, to which Angara promised to support being the current chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food.

The pronouncement was made during the opening of the 2008 Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Commercialization Forum and Exhibit and 21st BAR Anniversary Celebration on 21 August 2008 where Angara was one of the honored guests.

"The central role of R&D is focused on the two major issues faced by agriculture today: food and fuel. Unfortunately, the budget for R&D is declining given its importance to food production," explained Angara.

He went on by explaining the importance of R&D in the overall productivity of the agriculture sector and the economy as a whole. "We have very good researchers in the country. Funds must be channeled out to SUCs with the technical expertise to conduct research," he added.

Angara also stressed that there must be an immediate transfer of technologies and allow the SUCs to immediately patent their products and bring them at the grassroot level. "Once the policy is set on technology transfer, there will be more incentives to conduct more market-oriented research," he said.

"With IRRI, PhilRice, FAO, and other CGIAR-members helping us-I am sure we can cope and survive the food crisis. We don't have to feel so hopeless. We have the people, the infrastructure, and the training to do it. We just need to concentrate and focus and implement it as a deliberate national policy," Angara concluded.

Senator Angara, formerly the Secretary of Agriculture (1999-2001) has made some remarkable contributions to the agricultural development wherein he had the opportunity to implement his own creation, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) and oversaw an improvement of food production programs and support services. Overall, the agricultural sector saw a growth rate of three percent since 2000, compared with a 1.2 percent growth over the past two decades.

His term as agriculture secretary was marked by the implementation of breakthrough agricultural programs on food security, seed and crop production, and strong support to R&D. Recently, he has been advocating for an adequate funding for AFMA. According to him, AFMA is the modernization blueprint of the agricultural sector and sound programs must be combined with adequate funding. The lack of funding support could disrupt what could have been the successful modernization of Philippine agriculture.